Dhaniah Suhana

Rasulullah s.a.w. the Environmentalist

Over the many years on this planet, the population of has mankind on earth has grown and keeps growing, and so has our technology. As a result, the amount of resources that we consume on this planet has been increasing as well.

To make matters worse, we have also been able to witness the many instances whereby waste such as plastic is thrown carelessly onto the earth and its oceans, polluting the environment and harming the nature around us.

Continuing to treat the earth this way does not bode well for all of the living things on earth, including mankind.

When we look to the Prophet s.a.w.’s examples, we can see that in his lifetime, he constantly emphasised the need to safeguard our environment and the nature around us. Even during battles, when the main goal is usually to win at all costs and collateral damages are deemed to be natural, he prohibited any unnecessary destruction of trees and plantations, and specially commanded his companions to protect them.

Such was the extent of his concern for the protection of earth and its natural resources, and he made sure that his followers understood this clearly. So let us not forget his legacy.

Here are 2 other ways that we can ensure that we do our part for the environment, with examples from the Prophet s.a.w.:

1. Avoid water wastage

There was a famous incident in which the Prophet s.a.w. was passing by his companion, Saad bin Abi Waqas, as the latter was performing his ablution (wudu’).

There was a famous incident in which the Prophet s.a.w. was passing by his companion, Saad bin Abi Waqas, as the latter was performing his ablution (wudu’).

Upon seeing the abundance of water used for the ablution, he asked Saad, “Why such waste, O Saad?” Saad then asked, “Is there waste even when performing ablutions?” The Prophet s.a.w. answered: “Yes, even when using the water of a running stream.”

Bukhari

1. Avoid over consumption of food

Rasulullah s.a.w. discouraged the overconsumption of food which may lead to unnecessary hunting and slaughtering of the animals. He gave a stern warning:

“Whoever kills a sparrow or a bigger animal without respecting its right to exist will be accountable to God for it on the Day of Judgment.”

An-Nasa’i

The Prophet s.a.w. has given us 2 of these beautiful examples to follow, and there are certainly more ways that we can ensure that we treat the earth well for the good of all living things. For example, we can also reduce the amount that we throw away plastic waste and recycle them instead.

So let’s get creative and do more for the environment and ultimately, all living things, for now and the future.